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Katie Schneider, Calgary Sun

May 9, 2014

, Last Updated: 12:04 AM ET

CALGARY -- As gardening season begins, the city reminds Calgarians to keep their eye out for black knot fungus that could take some life out of their trees.

While not typically deadly, the black knot fungus, described as a big black growth that is easily spread this time of year, has the ability to take some vigour out of prunus trees like Schubert Chokecherry and Maydays if infected, said James Borrow, integrated pest management lead at the City of Calgary.

“On an ornamental tree, if the tree gets quite a bit of the infection, then just because you are having to manage it by pruning the tree may not look as nice,” he said.

“It will reduce the overall aesthetic value of the tree.

“On a fruit-bearing tree in an orchard situation, it would reduce the amount the tree would produce and reduces the overall vigour of the tree so the tree may then get attacked by other organisms.”